Photographic printer



p 1949- N. s. COLE PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTER Filed Feb, 24, .1947

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG I 1. I I' l 1 A n s i 1 w -Eo.5JZ%

April 26, 1949. N. s. COLE PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTER Filed Feb. 24, 1947 Y 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 4

a2 INVENTOR. N50 5. COLE AGENT Patented Apr. 26, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTER Ned S. Cole, San Diego, Calif.

Application February 24, 1947, Serial No. 730,519

12 Claims.

My invention relates to a photographic contact printer, more particularly for use in making photographic impressions on sensitized material with light passing through a photographic transparency while the sensitized material is held in con tact thereon and to improvements in my former application, Serial No. 692,631, filed August 23, 1946, now abandoned, and the objects of my invention are:

First, to provide a printer of this class wherein the sensitized material is carried in roll form in a light-tight magazine said magazine being an integral part of the printer;

Second, to provide a printer of this class, an integral part of which is a light-tight magazine which may be loaded or unloaded in the light with sensitized material contained in light-tight cartridges;

Third, to provide a printer of this class which operates in the light;

Fourth, to provide a printer of this class which is very fast in operation;

Fifth, to provide a printer of this class which is very simple to operate;

Sixth, to provide a printer of this class in which very accurate contact prints are made;

Seventh, to provide a printer of this class which makes contact prints in consecutive order on a roll of sensitized material thus facilitating the subsequent processing operations when accurate control of chemical baths, temperature, agitation, etc. make it impractical to handle the prints as single units;

Eighth, to provide a printer of this class which employs a vertically movable platen enclosed by an automatically actuated shutter which is closed when the platen is disengaged from the negative contact plane and automatically opens when said platen engages the film contact plane;

Ninth, to provide a printer of this class in which a platen is yieldably supported in a film containing box having a telescopic light trap means in connection with a shutter box therebelow whereby opening of the shutter in connection With said shutter box permits said platen in connection with said film containing box to be forced downwardly whereupon the telescopic relation of said boxes permits said platen to engage film on a contact printing surface; and

Tenth, to provide a photographic printer of this class which is very simple and economical of construction, efiicient in operation and which will not readily deteriorate or get out of order.

With these and other objects in view, as will appear hereinafter, my invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims; reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereon forming a part of this application in which:

Fig. 1 is a top or plan view of my photographic printer showing portions broken away and in section to amplify the illustration, Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof, Fig. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken from the line 33 of Fig. 1, Fig. i is an end view of my photographic printer showing portions broken away and in section to amplify the illustration, Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view thereof taken from line ii5 of Fig. 3 and Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 8ii of Fi 5.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts and portions throughout the several views of the drawings.

The base i, shutter box 2, shutter 3, film box i, platen 5, shutter retracting member 6, spacers i, spring 8, spring tube 9, link H], lever H, shutter box gaskets i2, film roller l5, roller frame 16, rollers ll, spring i8, film box cover 29, platen bracket 2%, lever 22!, shaft 22, clamp levers 23, brackets 2 cam shaft 25, shafts 26, and 28, springs 29 and 3G, lever 35, links 32 and 33, shafts 34 and 35, base bracket 36, spools 31 and 38, cams 38 and 4t, film rail l! and the shutter track 42 constitute the principal parts and portions of my photographic printer.

In the construction of my photographic printer, I provide a fiat frame member l having an aperture to therein provided with a glass contact plate lb registering therewith beneath which a suitable light source may be provided. The base i provided with a bracket 36 substantially U-shaped through the opposite ends of which the shaft 3% extends, as shown best in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. Pivotally mounted on the shaft is the bracket A l. This bracket 2 is provided with a U-shaped portion 2% at its pivoted end and is provided with a pair of upwardly extendin plate portions Mb at its opposite end connected to said U-shaped portion 24a by bars 240. The shafts 3d and 35 extend through the Ushaped portion 25a of the bracket 24 and support the links 32 and 33 on opposite ends thereof at opposite sides of said U-shaped portion 24a of said bracket 24. These links 32 and 33 are pivotally connected at their opposite ends on trunnion portions ia and ib extending 3 from the film box 4. It will be here noted that there are two of the links 32 and two of the links 33 which engage with said trunnion portions 4a and 479 at opposite sides of the film box 4, as shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The links 32 and 33 pivoted at their opposite ends and connected to the film box 4 maintain vertical rectilinear operation of the film box 4 relatively to the shutter box 2. The shutter box 2 is a hollow rectangular box havin its upper edge portion 2a telescopically mounted in a conforming chamber portion in the film box 4 providing a light trap intermediate the reciprocal telescopic portions of the film box 4 and the shutter box 2. The shutter box 2, at its lower portion, is provided with an extending plate 212 to the lower side of which is secured the spacer l supporting the shutter track 42 in spaced relation with said plate 21) whereby the shutter 3 is reciprocally mounted intermediate the track 42 and the plate 2b and arranged to enclose the opening 20 in the. lower side of the shutter box 2 surrounded by the gasket I2 which is adapted to rest on the upper surface of the frame around the aperture la therein above the contact plate lb. Connected with the shutter 3, as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, is the shutter retracting mem her 6 provided with an upwardly eXtending arm portion BIZ'DZOjGCtlDg through a slotted portion 9a in the tube 9 and pivotally connected at its upper end with the link In, as shown best in Fig. 3 of the drawings. Positioned in the tube 9 and engaging the normally rear end of the shutter retracting member 6 is the compression spring 8 which tends to maintain the shutter 3 in closed position, as shown best in Figs. 3 and 6 of the drawings. The opposite end of the link ill from its-connection with the shutter actuating memher 6 is pivotally connected with the lever ll secured at its upper end to the shaft 2! and engaged by the camel) fixed on the shaft 25 also carrying the cam 39 fixed thereto which engages the lever 2| connected to the spring 39 fixed to the pin 3011 at its opposite end projecting from the bracket 24. Fixed to the outer ends of the shaft- 25 are the opposite ends of the lever 36. This-lever 3| is provided with cam portions 3la adjacent the shaft 25 and is provided with an interconnecting shaft portion 3.117 at its middle portion which serves as anoperating handle for actuation of said lever 3| about the axis of the shaft 25 in fixed connected relation therewith. The lever 2! at its normally lower end is fixed to the shaft 22 on the opposite ends of which theclamp levers 23 are rigidly secured. These clamp levers 23 are each provided with notched portions 23a therein adapted to engage the end hook portions Ma of the film rail 4| at opposite sides of the shutter box 2. The shaft 26 extends through the bracket 24 at its upwardly extending portions 24b and the springs 29 are connected to its opposite ends and extend downwardly intermediate the bracket and the links 33, as shown best. in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The lower ends of these springs 29 are connected to shafts 28 in connection with the links 33 tending to hold the film box 4 together with the links 32 and 33 in the upper solid line position as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The film box 4 is provided with a' cover I9 arranged to be secured in light tight relationship with the upper open side thereof and 'revolubly mounted in this film box 4 are the spools 3'! and 38 and the film roller l intermediate said spools 3! and 38. The film is arranged to pass from the spool 3? downwardly around the rollers l7 upwardly over the film roller l5 and onto the spool 38. The spools 31 and 38 are actuated externally of the film box 4 by means of thumb wheels 3712 and 38a, respectively. Fixed to the inner side of the film box 3 is the bracket 2% which is a substantially rigid member provided with an angularly extending lower end portion 2% to the lower side of which is fixed the sponge rubber platen 5. Extending over the portion Eda of the bracket 20 and the platen 5 is the substantially inverted U-shaped roller frame it in which the rollers ll are revolubly mounted. This roller frame it is provided with a bridge portion Mia extending over the upper side of the angularly disposed portion 20a of the bracket 2@ and is engaged by the sprin I 8 on the shaft 2% connected to the angularly disposed portion Zfia of the bracket 2t. Thus, the spring it tends to hold the roller frame l6 downwardly against the upper side of the angularly disposed portion 28a of the bracket 29 as shown best in Figs. 3 4 of the drawings.

Ifhe operation of my photographic printer is substantially as follows:

A transparency is first placed on the contact printing plate lb at the upper side of the frame I and the gasket 52 is engaged at the upper side of the frame i surrounding said transparency, as shown best in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The shaft 352) of the lever 3i is then rotated about the-axis of the shaft 25 stationarily supported in connection with the bracket 2%. As the shaft 25 is rotated, the lever ii, in connection with the link iii, secured to the arm @a of the shutter retracting member 6 forces the shutter 3 backwardly into the dash line position as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, opening the aperture 20 in the shutter box 2 and pivoting the cam 39 out of engagement with the lever 25 permitting the spring so in connection therewith to rotate the shaft 22 carrying the clamp levers 23 into the dash line position, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, engaging the extending portions Lila of the film rail M locking the gasket l2 in secure compressed relation between the shutter track 42 and the upper surface of the frame l surrounding the aperture la therein. Simultaneously to the engagement of the levers 2-5 with the film rail ii, the cam portions 35a of the lever 3E bear upon the upper'edges of the links 32 forcing the film box l downwardly in telescopic relation with the shutter box 2 whereby the platen 5 engaging film at the lower side thereof is forced into engagement with the upper side of the contact plate ii) in the aperture Ia of the frame 5. When the platen 5 is forced downwardly toward the upper surface of the contact plate to the roller frame it is shifted upwardly on the shaft at?) against compression of the spring it. This is caused by engagement of the rollers ll at the upper surface of the contact plate lb during compression of the platen 5 forcing the film engaged by the rollers ll into contact relationship with the transparency placed over the contact plate lb, as hereinbefore described. When the lever 3i passes forwardly into the dash line position, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, it releases the latch 53 engaging the cam its of the film roller l5 permittinganother length of film equal to the exposure lengths of the contact plate iii to pass over the rollers I? when actuated by rotation of'the thumb wheel 32a on the spool 38. This film winding operation on the spool 38 takes place after the lever 3| has been released and the inherent tension in the film passing over the film roller i5 causes the notch 521 of the cam I511 to pass the dog 4-3arof the latch 43 thereby permitting subsequent turning of said roller l until the notch 25b again engages the dog 43a of the latch it. When the lever 3| is pivoted backwardly about the axis of the shaft 25 into the solid line position, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the cam 48 is released from the lever l l permitting the spring 8 to force the shutter actuating member 5 forwardly into the solid line position, as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, closing the shutter 3 over the aperture 20 of the shutter box 2 rendering the shutter box 2 in its telescopic relation with the film box 4 light tight. The hereinbei ore film shifting operation may then be carried on by rotating the thumb piece 38a of the spool as and the entire mechanism including the film lbox shutter box 2, bracket 25 and connected parts may be raised upwardly and pivoted about the axis of the shaft 43 in connection with the bracket 3t secured to the frame 5. It will be here noted that movement of the lever ill to the solid line position, as hereinbefore described, causes the cam 39 on the shaft 25 to actuate the lever 2i pivoting the clamp levers 23 out of engagement with the film rail 4i. Thus, the mechanism, as hereinbefore described, is released for movement upwardly about the axis of the shaft 43. When the lever is in the solid line position, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the springs 25; in connection with the bracket 24 tend to hold the links and to gether with the film box 4 in the upward solid line position, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Thus, the spring 29 connected to the bracket 2d causes positive engagement of the link with the lower side of the lever 3i at the axis of the shaft 25 rigidly journaled in said bracket It is to be noted that the gasket I? in compressed relation makes a light tight arrangement before the shutter s is retracted and maintains a light tight condition until the shutter 3 is closed. Therefore, the shutter box 2 together with the film box t are maintained in light tight condition at all times. The channel portion :la in the film box t provides a light trap in which the upper edge portion 2a of the shutter box 2 is positioned, regardless of the longitudinal disposition of said upper edge portion 2a relatively to the overall depth of the channel portion 4a of said film box l.

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portion, I do not wish to be limited to this particular construction, combination and arrangement, but desire to include in the scope of my invention the construction, combination and arrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a photographic printer of the class described, the combination of a frame, a light transmitting plate in connection with said frame, a shutter box having a gasket at its normally lower side arranged to surround said light transmitting plate, a movable shutter in said shutter box arranged to enclose the same upwardly of said gasket and a film box vertically telescopically mounted relatively to said shutter box having a platen therein arranged to contact said light transmitting plate.

2. In a photographic printer of the class described, the combination of a frame, a light trans mitting plate in connection with said frame, a shutter box having a gasket at its normally lower side arrangedto surround said light transmitting plate, a movable shutter in said shutter box arranged to enclose the same upwardly of said gasket and a film box vertically telescopically mounted relatively to said shutter box having a platen therein arranged to contact said light transmitting plate, pivoted linkage, said shutter box and said film box being pivotally movable with said linkage away from said light transmitting plate simultaneously.

3. In a photographic printer of the class described, the combination of a frame, a light transmitting plate in connection with said frame, a shutter box having a gasket at its normally lower side arranged to surround said light transmitting plate, a movable shutter in said shutter box arranged to enclose the same upwardly of said gasket, a film box vertically telescopically mounted relatively to said shutter box having a platen therein arranged to contact said light transmitting plate, pivoted linkage, said shutter box and said film box being pivotally movable V- 'th said linkage away from said light transn tting plate simultaneously, a bracket in connection with said frame and linkage means interconnecting said bracket and said film box whereby said film box is pivotally movable relatively to said frame.

4. In a photographic printer of the class described, the combination of a frame, a light transmitting plate in connection with said frame, a shutter box having a gasket at its normally lower to surround said light transmitting plate, a movable shutter in said shutter box arranged to enclose the same upwardly of said g et, a film box vertically telescopically mounted relatively to said shutter box having a platen therein arranged to contact said light transmitting plate, pivoted linkage said shutter box and said film box being pivotally movable f said linkage away from said light transmitting plate simultaneously, a bracket in connection with said frame, linkage means interconnecting said bracket and said film box whereby said film box is pivotally movable relatively to said frame, and a second bracket pivotally connected with said first-mentioned bracket, said shutter box secured to said second-mentioned bracket.

5. In a photographic printer of the class deth combination of a frame, a light transmitting plate in connection with said frame, a shutter boX having a gasket at its normally lower side arranged to surround said light transmitting plate, a movable shutter in said shutter box arranged to enclose the same upwardly of said, gasket, a film box vertically telescopically mounted relatively to said shutter box having a platen therein arranged to contact said light transmitting plate, said shutter box and said film box being movable away from said lighttransmitting plate simultaneously, a bracket in connection with said frame, linkage means interconnecting said bracket and said film whereby said film box is pivotally movable relatively to frame, a second bracket pivotally connected with said first-mentioned bracket, said shutter box secured to said second-mentioned bracket and lover means in connection with said secondmentioned bracket arranged to engage said links for telescopically moving said film box relatively to shutter box.

6. In a photographic printer of the class described, the combination of a frame, a light transmitting plate in connection with said frame, a shutter box having a gasket at its normally lower side arranged to surround said light transmitting plate, a movable shutter in said shutter box arranged to enclose the same upwardly of said gasket, 2. film box vertically telescopically mounted relatively to said shutter box having a platen therein arranged to contact said light transmitting plate, said shutter box and said film box being moveable away from said light transmitting plate simultaneously, a bracket in connection with said frame, linkage means interconnecting said bracket and said film whereby said film box is pivotally moveable relatively to said frame, a second bracket pivotally connected with said first-mentioned bracket, said shutter box secured to said second-mentioned bracket, lever means in connection with said secondmentioned bracket arranged to engage said links for telescopically moving said film box relatively to said shutter box, latch members pivotally connected with said second-mentioned bracket and means in connection with said frame engageable with said latch means for holding said shutter box securely against the upper side of said frame around said light transmitting plate.

7'. In a photographic printer of the class described, the combination of a frame, a light transmitting plate in connection with said frame, a shutter box having a gasket at its normally lower side arranged to surround said light transmitting plate, a moveable shutter in said shutter box arranged to enclose the same upwardly of said gasket, a film box vertically telescopically mounted relatively to said shutter box having a platen therein arranged to contact said light transmitting plate, said shutter box and said film box being moveable away from said light transmitting plate simultaneously, a bracket in connection with said frame, linkage means interconnecting said bracket and said film whereby said film box is pivotally moveable relatively to said frame, a second bracket pivotally connected with said first-mentioned bracket, said shutter box secured to said second-mentioned bracket, lever means in connection with said secondmentioned bracket arranged to engage said links for telescopically moving said film box relatively to said shutter box, latch members pivotally connected with said second-mentioned bracket, means in connection with said frame engageable with said latch means for holding said shutter box securely against the upper side of said frame around said light transmitting plate and lever and linkage means in connection with said firstmentioned lever arranged to retract said shutter simultaneously to the movement of said film box in telescopic relationship with said shutter box.

8. In a photographic printer of the class described the combination of a contact printing plate arranged to transmit light therethrough, a shutter box arranged to be positioned in light tight relationship surrounding a portion of said contact printing plate, a shutter arranged to enclose said shutter box adjacent said contact printing plate, a film box, film supporting spools therein, a platen in said film box over which said fil m extends in substantially parallel relationship tothe plane of said contact printing plate, said film box telescopically mounted relatively to the upper portion of said shutter box in light tight relationship therewith whereby vertical movement of said film box relatively to said shutter box permits said platen to engage said contact printing plate when said shutter is in open position.

9'. In a photographic printer of the class described the combination of a contact printing plate arranged to transmit light therethrough, a shutter box arranged to be positionedinlighttight relationship surrounding a portion of said contact printing plate, a shutter arranged to enclose said shutter box adjacent said contact printing plate, a film box, film supporting spools therein, a platen in said film box over which said film extends in substantially parallel relationship to the plane of said contact printing plate, said film box telescopically mounted relatively to the upper portion of said shutter box in light tight relationship therewith whereby vertical movement of said film box relatively to said shutter box permits said platen to engage said contact printing plate when said shutter is in open position and means for automatically opening said shutter when said film box is moved downwardly in telescopic relationship with said shutter box.

10. In a photographic printer of the class described the combination of a contact printing plate arranged to transmit light therethrough, a shutter box arranged to be positioned in light tight relationship surrounding a portion of said contact printing plate, a shutter arranged to enclose said shutter boxadjacent said contact printing plate, a film box, film supporting spools therein, a platen in said film box over which said film extends in substantially parallel relationship to the plane of said contact printing plate, said film box telescopically mounted relatively to the upper portion of said shutter box in light tight relationship therewith whereby Vertical movement of said film box relatively to said shutter box permits said platen to engage said contact printing plate when said shutter is in open position, means for automatically opening said shutter when said film box is moved downwardly in telescopic relationship with said shutter box and a gasket at the under side of said shutter box arranged to provide a light trap around a portion of said contact printing plate.

11. In a photographic printer of the class described the combination of a contact printing plate arranged to transmit light therethrough, a shutter box arranged to be positioned in light tight relationship surrounding a portion of said contact printing plate, a shutter arranged to enclose said shutter box adjacent said contact printing plate, a film box, filmsupporting spools therein, a platen in said film box over which said film extends in substantially parallel relationship to the plane of said contact printing plate, said film box telescopically mounted relatively to the upper portion of said shutter box in light tight relationship therewith whereby vertical movement of said film box relatively to said shutter box permits said platen to engage said contact printing plate when said shutter is in open position, means for automatically opening said shutter when said film box is moved downwardly in telescopic relationship with said shutter :box, said platen of yieldable material and a roller frame adapted to support film at the under side of said platen having rollers in connection therewith and vertically moveable relatively to said platen.

12. In a photographic printer of the class described the combination of a contact printing plate arranged to transmit light therethrough, a shutter box arranged to be positioned in light tight relationship surrounding a portion of said contact printing plate, a shutter arranged to enclose said shutter box adjacent said contact printing plate, a filrn' box, film supporting spools therein, a platen in said film boxoveriwhich said film extends insubstantially parallel relation- 9 ship to the plane of said contact printing plate, said film box telescopically mounted relatively to the upper portion of said shutter box in light tight relationship therewith whereby vertical movement of said film box relatively to said shutter box permits said platen to engage said contact printing plate when said shutter is in open position, means for automatically opening said shutter when said film box is moved downwardly in telescopic relationship with said shutter box, said platen of yieldable material, a roller frame adapted to support film at the under side of said platen having rollers in connection therewith vertically moveable relatively to said platen and a spring in connection with said film box arranged to force said roller frame downwardly toward the lower surface of said platen.

NED S. COLE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 862,264 Mallison Aug. 6, 1907 1,001,373 Dye Aug. 22, 1911 1,821,399 Owens Sept. 1, 1931 2,303,206 Garman Nov. 24, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 220,009 Great Britain Aug. 13, 1924 

